§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 5 December,Official Report, column 51, how many outstanding sheep annual premium payments will be made in the week beginning 12 December; when payment will be made in respect of the remainder; if sufficient financial resources are available to make all outstanding sheep annual premium payments in the week beginning 12 December; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Hector MonroOn 9 December the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department issued payments totalling £25 million to 3,560 claimants under the 1994952W sheep annual premium scheme. In total £50.4 million has now been paid to 12,900 claimants—around 85 per cent. of the total. The remaining claims will be processed as soon as possible and most should be paid in January. Funding is available as soon as claims are cleared for payment.